For decades Cranford has been committed to creating and maintaining its high-quality downtown. It is a state-designated transit village and has a Special Improvement District (similar to a business improvement district) and a Downtown Management Corporation to oversee its economic development efforts. In 1998, Cranford wrote a redevelopment area plan for the properties that would become Cranford Crossing. This plan gave the township the power to work closely with private developers to ensure that the project adhered to high design standards and aligned with community needs. Political support for the project and a 1 & 1/2-year public engagement process were essential to gaining community support for the redevelopment area designation. Officials believe this project spurred additional development and renovation projects in the downtown.